A name that has been repeated over and over again in history raised concerns about who Walter Payton was. And what did he do to achieve the status and respect he has earned today? We discuss these questions today.
The football hero Walter Payton was famous for multiple achievements. His generosity was something a community had never seen before. Among all, his humble attitude got him the title of “sweetness’.
Walter Payton was a man of multiple capabilities. His achievements are forever etched in the hearts of football players and fans. So, let’s delve into who Walter Payton was.
The birth of the legend:
Walter Payton was born in Columbia, Mississippi, on July 25, 1954. He started playing football in his senior year because his brother was on the team, and he didn’t play with him out of respect. Payton made a name for himself in his high school because of it.
Payton lived an average American life until he was in college, where his future path was paved.
He went to Jackson State College because it was a predominantly black community, and he wanted to feel like he belonged. He soon gained popularity in his football team because of his affable demeanor and personality; hence, he was n. Henced “sweetness.””
Walter Payt.” started as a runner-back and also played as a kicker for Jackson State. Payton’sHis on-field achievements started in 1971 when he was playing for the college, and he only got better until he retired.
He was selected for an all-American team, so he was known as the “black college player” from 1973 to 1974.
In his four years of college football, he had 3,500 rushing yards and scored more than 450 points. He was one of the most versatile players on the team, hence his landing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play for the Chicago Bears.
Payton was known for helping his friends and other students with their homework and studying material, showcasing his interest in community work since his college years. He was not only popular on the field, but he also made a name for himself off it.
Chicago embraces “sweetness”
Now that we know who Walter Payton was let’s delve into how he became a part of the Chicago Bears. In the fourth round of the 1975 draft, the Chicago Bears drafted Walter Payton into their team. Ever since that day, Payton has remained loyal to the Bears.
It remains a mystery how he lasted till the fourth pick to this day, as before him, some of the best players were drafted for teams like Dallas, Baltimore, etc.
In his first-ever National Football League game, Payton carried the ball eight times to zero yards. With his stellar performance, he was the center of the topic very quickly. Soon, with experience, Payton’s name kept shining.
As the season finale approached, Payton had one of the best performances of his career against New Orleans. He rushed 134 yards on 20 carries, which was the Bears’ best-rushing record after the Sayers.
Unfortunately, as he approached the end of his rookie year, Payton had 675 yards and seven touchdowns, the lowest scores of his entire career.
In the 13 seasons of the National Football League, this was the first one that Payton wasn’t playing in, not because he couldn’t but because the Trainer wouldn’t let him. This is when Payton skyrocketed his career and made sure he never missed out on a game again.
The golden age of Walter Payton’s career:
To know the real Walter Payton -the most valuable player of the National Football League, one must know about all his downfalls before becoming the person he is known today.
So the question is, who was Walter Payton? It is as diverse as it comes. Waler Payton was indeed one of the legends of football, but he also learned his way through all the hard work.
In 1977, Payton did 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns and was now voted the MVP (most valuable player) in the National Football League. Some of his highest achievements in his period were:
- After the 1977 season, Chicago went to the playoffs. Walter Payton showcased the best single-game performance in NFL history by featuring 275- yards.
- By 1976-1877 Chicago Bears were known because of Walter Payton.
- Payton rushed over 1,000 yards every season from 1976 to 1981.
- Soon Payton reached the NFC crowd and was playing in pro bowls.
Payton was not one of the most prominent players of the Bears but was also known for his pranks and jokes. As he made a new family within Bears, he was known for pranks like locking the locker rooms, hiding toiletries away, and many other light-hearted pranks. It was as if his “sweet spirit” carried through.
Philanthropic work:
Walter Payton surely is known because of his football achievements, but he did a few things to give back to his community for all the love and support he got. Since college, he has been fond of helping the students. So when Payton had the means, nothing could stop him.
Payton’s organization, Payton’s Foundation, helped students with education funds as well as health funds. He made sure that the people of his community met their necessities.
Moreover, Payton created awareness through his platform about organ donation and its importance.
He was an exemplary figure in the community. His organization still stands strong and follows his example of virtue. Moreover, because of his generosity, the National Football League named an award after him, “the Walter Payton”” award, which considers players who give back to the community.
Hence, Payton is not just a football legend, he has also left the football world with the virtue of giving back to the community.
Illness and death:
Walter Payton was diagnosed with PSC (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis), a severe liver condition that may have led to bile duct cancer, from which Walter Payton passed away.
It was assumed that Payton was addicted to his drugs, as when he was on the field, he used to take multiple painkillers. After retiring, he was still in the habit of taking medications that could have caused Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.
After retiring, Payton led a very painful life, as he had an aggressive form of bile duct cancer. The only applicable solution was an organ transplant, but because of the medications he was on, his body would have rejected the foreign organ.
Payton passed away on November 1, 1999. It was a day of mourning for all football fans. His service was held in the soldier’s field to pay respects to his hard work and for all he gave to the football and the community.
Conclusion for who was Walter Payton?
Now that we have seen his early life, his rookie year, his golden age of career as well as all of his achievements, sadly. His battle with illness and his unfortunate demise. Now we completely know who Walter Payton was.
His contribution to the football community is impeccable, but who he was was a man with a kind personality and a generous man. He left a long-lasting impact on the people of Chicago as well as the world. Walter Payton will forever be remembered with these words, “never die easy.”